NC Coronavirus update October 14: Will Halloween return to normal this year?
6:45 a.m.
Haywood County is rewarding its teachers for sticking it out through the COVID-19 pandemic.
The district announced all school employees would receive up to $3,000 in bonuses.
The money is set to start arriving in paychecks in monthly installments starting in November.
The school district said the money for the bonuses came from federal COVID-19 funding. The money will hopefully help the school district retain the employees.
6:15 a.m.
What will Halloween look like this year?
The government’s top infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, said families can feel safe trick-or-treating outdoors this year for Halloween as COVID-19 cases in the U.S. decline, especially for those who are vaccinated.
Last year, trick-or-treating was strongly discouraged. Durham went so far as to ask people not to do it at all.
We’re expected to get an update from Durham Mayor Steve Schewel on Thursday morning. The mayor will release the city’s guidance for how to safely celebrate Halloween this year.
That announcement is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Check back here for updates.
6 a.m.
COVID-19 was the leading of death among people ages 35 to 54 — and the second-leading cause overall — in September, according to an analysis by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Peterson Center on Healthcare.
The research also estimates that since June more than 90,000 U.S. deaths from COVID-19 could have been prevented with vaccines, and more than half of those occurred last month.
In January, COVID-19 was the nation’s No. 1 cause of death, the analysis found. In July, before the delta surge, COVID-19 briefly dropped to eighth.
WEDNESDAY
4:30 p.m.
The town of Garner will not have its traditional Christmas parade this year, it announced this week.
The town cited staffing challenges and ongoing concerns regarding COVID-19.
The annual tree lighting, typically held during Light Up Main, will be combined with the Garner Night Market on Friday, Nov. 26.
Specific details will be announced later, the town said.
The town said it will not have its traditional Christmas Parade this year “due to staffing shortages and other logistical issues that will make it uncertain whether a parade could be planned and managed safely while meeting community expectations.”
However, the town is planning other family-friendly holiday activities that will be held in Downtown Garner on Dec. 4.
2:45 p.m.
The University of North Carolina announced COVID-19 protocols for winter sports events – including men’s and women’s basketball, gymnastics, swimming & diving and wrestling.
Masks must be worn over the nose and mouth of everyone in attendance for all indoor events, except when actively eating and drinking.
Full capacity in stadiums will be allowed but the first two rows of seats behind the benches at Carmichael Arena will be blocked for Women’s Basketball games as a safety buffer because of the tight space between the benches and fans, the school said.
Vaccinations are strongly encouraged but not currently required to attend events.
Carolina students and staff must attest they are vaccinated or be tested regularly.
2:40 p.m.
Governor…
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